We Went Mobile!

Be sure to download this year’s event app to your smartphone or tablet! Search for NC Chamber in the Android and Apple Store or visit our landing page from your web browser. View speaker profiles, build to-do lists and more!

The First Outlook for North Carolina Business in the New Year

The North Carolina Chamber and the North Carolina Bankers Association proudly present the 14th Annual Economic Forecast Forum. Sure to once again attract a sold-out crowd, this event brings together our state’s most powerful and influential leaders to discuss the economic forecast for the year ahead.

In addition to the Forum, a special session is held each year focusing on a different segment of economic development. This year’s session will give you an insider’s look at how North Carolina’s economy stacks up to the competition. Over the last three decades, as the economy has globalized and competition has intensified, North Carolina has positioned itself as a leading place to live, work and do business. Influential publications, including Forbes, CNBC and Chief Executive consistently rank North Carolina as a top state for business. These recognitions are a source of great pride, but they can also sow the dangerous seeds of complacency. As other places invest in assets and address deficiencies, we know that no matter how good we are today, someday soon that will not be good enough.

North Carolina is a rapidly growing state. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, the state’s population is expected to grow by approximately 20 percent to 12 million, making it the seventh most populous state in the country. To meet the needs of the growing population, North Carolina must create 1 million new jobs by 2030, or 62,500 jobs per year. A panel of experts will discuss issues impacting our state’s economy, including a growing urban/rural divide and how some states are tackling that issue, what economic tools and levers other states are using to compete with North Carolina and what sectors of the economy are best positioned for growth.